2 week Floridacruise

[hvolkhart]

Since our vacation plans for 2007 where kind of interrupted due to family reasons, we are planning a “big” one for Christmas 2008.
We (Admiral, 17M, 15M, 8F and I) will tow the boat from Chicago to Florida, have a 2 day stop in Disney world and want to spend 2 weeks on the boat. We have some 4 to 5 day cursing experience (great lakes).
We are planning to be in a harbor every 2nd/3rd night.
Here are some questions:
1) Is December the right time to do this?
2) What is the weather alike around this time of the year
3) Where is a good place to launch the boat and leave the car and trailer for this period of time parked?
4) Is there anything on the boat I need to modify (salt water?)
5) Any comets, suggestions, warnings?
6) Does anyone have a route suggestion?

Any input is welcome.
Thank you

[Gerald Gordon]

I think Halley won't be back for another 76 years or so.

[nchogberg]

We sail out of Black Point Marina on Biscayne Bay. There was a guy from Canada during the spring that spent a month sailing around the bahamas in his 26x. They let him keep his truck and trailer in the fenced in area where we all keep our boats. Not sure what they charged him but I would think it would'nt be that much.

From Black point you are at the top of the keys, and while I dont know if you could get all the way to Key west in that time there are tons of snorkling sites, parks and marinas headed south. You could certainly head south for so many days then just turn around and head back.

Temp from the low 60's to high 70's perfect for sleeping on the boat IMO, avg. windspeed 10-15mph.

The water will be rather chilly so your trips in the water will be quick but we have done it. Perhaps dive shops would rent you wet suit tops, I dont know I've never asked. But there are plenty of those down here also.

later...
Hawg

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

We have some 4 to 5 day cursing experience.

I have 64 years of *##*# cursing experience.

[tangentair]

I used to live on the east coast south of the Space Center - north of Miami before moving to Chicago.

1) Is December the right time to do this?

From our perspective absolutely, your right in the snowbird migration, hotels, motel, restaurants, and amusements are all geared up to take your money painlessly - some Floridians might prefer you went home and took a couple of Canadians with you but most will open their arms as wide as you open your pockets.

2) What is the weather alike around this time of the year

The weather can be fickle but for the most part it is like what we have right now here. Day time highs will keep you in short sleeves (the natives are the ones who think the water is cold when it gets to 70), evenings might need a light windbreaker as long as you get south of Orlando on either coast. I did see one year at my parents house in Orlando around Christmas/New Years, sub zero temps and the neighbors solar water heater for their pool froze - the burst pipe flooded the roof which then was coated with ice. On the coast, it never quite got down that low, by Miami does get to 40s once or twice every now and then. Key West usually stays a little warmer, so if it gets or is forecast to be cold, keep heading south.

3) Where is a good place to launch the boat and leave the car and trailer for this period of time parked?

BoatsUS has a trailer launch section on their web site that lists site and facilities.

4) Is there anything on the boat I need to modify (salt water?)

perhaps you need to check your zincs and make sure that they are in good condition and are really zinc. I wouldn't do bottom paint for just 2-3 weeks but I would consider waxing it with one of those inhibitor waxes

5) Any comets, suggestions, warnings?

Although I have experience on the ICW and Keys, I have heard really good things about the west coast between Tampa and Naples. There are some secluded beaches and parks that would be perfect for overnight. And if you have the inclination put in around north Miami, cross through Okeechobee - the fishing is great - and you'll get a tourist view of the Glades, then stop by Naples, it is a quaint little town of rich retirees. Then you can head back up to Tampa. But you should see the Keys as well so ..........

6) Does anyone have a route suggestion?

do you mean down?, I like to run down state all the way and then turn over through Nashville Chattanooga, and Atlanta - but there are some serious hills and I have never towed a Mac through them. Otherwise see remarks above.

[eric3a]

..

[Gemini]

There are so many choices in Florida. That time of year (which can swing from highs in the 80s to highs in the 40s, but, you will mostly find highs in the 70s.

I would suggest Tampa, St. Pete, Clearwater area. With that much time you could drop in at Seminole Boat Ramp (I used the facility, very nice, city ran, 5 or 7 bucks a day for the vehicle, I think there are weekly discounts). Just Google the name and call the bait shop.

That puts you in the ICW, where you can go North to Caladesi Island State Park (nice marina there and one of the last non-developed island in Florida. Further North to Anclote Key and over to Tarpon Springs (where the sponge docks are) or South to the Clearwater inlet and out into the Gulf of Mexico. You could cruise down to Egmont Key, Fort DeSoto (Mullet Key), go around into Tamp Bay and stay in St. Pete. The possibilities are endless.

Check out all these areas on your charts and Google Earth and maps.live.com (birds eye view). It is really impressive. Most of the beaches have sugarcane white sands.

[hvolkhart]

Oops and oops again.
Thank you Gordon and Bill.
Just in my defense, I think I’m not doing toooooo bad with my English since it is not my native tongue.
Looking at it again, I had a good laugh too.

[Retcoastie]

You didn't say when you were going and coming so I can only guess that you will be here around New Year's.

West Coast Trailer Sailor Squadron does three New Year's cruises. One in and around Biscayne Bay, one in the 10,000 Islands, and a shallow water one in Florida Bay. Their website has details. http://members.ij.net/wctss/wctss/dates.htm

[Divecoz]

Oops and oops again.
Thank you Gordon and Bill.
Just in my defense, I think I’m not doing toooooo bad with my English since it is not my native tongue.
Looking at it again, I had a good laugh too.

You did just fine my friend . I have dove the area at the time your going and Yes take 3 to 5 mil's for everyone. Rental tanks are available everywhere. DONT forget your C card's. Its not Cozumel by a long shot but its diving. Spear gun would be nice to have along . Forget the Hawaiian sling though. BTDT PITA

[acdave]

Mary & I have cruised many areas of Fl & Keys...and our favorite 2-3 week cruise we have made several times is Tampa to Fort Myers & back. Each time we do it differently, depending on weather,etc. If a norther is blowing in Dec. you can spend more time inside on the ICW.

Here's some details....but there are so many variations you can plan, depending on your time .....possible side trips, ports of call, anchorages, etc., you need to get Claiborne Youngs "Cruising Guide to Western Florida" to plan your best trip around what your family will enjoy:


Put -in at Bahia Beach Marina in Tampa Bay at Ruskin (just south of Tampa ....down I75). The folks are great, they have a ramp, all the services and you can park your tow rig in a secured fenced area for a weekly fee. Its also a resort so you can dine there too.

Sail out and around Tampa Bay, lunch at Egmont Key, then overnight at anchorage tucked in the Manatee River, behind Desoto Point.

Next day, after spending the morning dinking into the beach and touring the Desoto Park (this is where Desoto landed and started it all with the conquest of the Americas in 1500's). Depending on weather, you can continue down the inside (ICW) or you can go outside sailing down to Sarasota or Venice. I sometimes like the inside route on this leg, making stops at Cortez for lunch and sailing across Sarasota Bay on into Sarasota, and Marina Jacks for a night or two in Sarasota....just a walk up to center city and great dining & shops....also the Ringling Bros Circus Museum tour.

At Venice Inlet you can spend the night at the marina and a great restaurant ...Crow's Nest. Marina has bikes, so you can bike over to Venice beach or into town...lots to do.

Continuing down the coast.... its a good day sail (30+ miles) to Boca Grande Pass (inlet to Port Charlotte Harbor/Pine Island Sound). This is my favorite spot....Pine Island Sound....anchoring out at Pelican Bay and spending a few days at Cayo Costa beach; a dink ride over to Cabbage Key and/or to Captiva Pass & the beach

You can go over to Gasparilla Is & Boca Grande for a great time in town, dining, shops, and the lighthouse park....you rent a golf cart and drive all over town and to beach, etc....like everyone does in Boca Grande. The marina is fine there to spend the night or if they are booked you can anchor off across from it in the little bay. There's a great little old Florida Cracker marina in the bay...Whiddens Marina.....a piece of history....that probably wont be around in a few more years....land is worth to much....pressure to develop!

Then...if you have the time.... you can either sail down the outside to southern tip of Sanibel Is and up into San Carlos Bay, or Ft Myers etc.....then gunkhole your way back north on Pine Island Sound....stopping at the many anchorages and nature sites....or if the weather is not perfect....you can stay inside Pine Island sound and meander south....to Sanibel, etc.

Another great stop in Pine Island Sound is Buck Key anchorage & Green Flash restaurant. You can get provisions at Tween Waters & use dock if going to their restaurant. A dink ride up the Roosevelt Channel will bring you out to Blind Pass....your choice of beach....Sanibel to the south or Captiva to the north.

.....And then head back to Tampa.....making time on the outside if your time is short and weather & winds are favorable.

[Tom Walsh]

Like yourself i am a scuba diver, i love sailing and tropical islands. I have been going to the lower florida keys every year now for 7 years, right back to the same tropical paradise at bahia honda state park. The park takes up the whole island and has a small friendly little marina ajacent to a beautiful little beach. We sail out to the reef (looe key or sombrero) about 10 mi. Sail, tie up to a mooring ball(free and easy)dive on spectacular high profile reefs or just snorkle the shallows, and sail home to the marina. After a full day in the boat we are ready for a shower, a meal and a stroll on the beach.

It is 34 miles to key west so on a bad weather day we head for the carneval town of key west. (Key largo is loaded with good deal dive shops). It s always warmer in the keys the water temps will be in the low 70s not any colder. The marina almost always has openings $2.00 A foot a night + 11% tax. Right outside the entrance to the marina is the anchorage, if you anchor there free you still get the use of the park.

The boat ramp at the park is the best in the keys seldom a crowd, you can have your tow rig a few steps from your slip, at my favorite slip i step off my boat and onto one of the best beaches in the keys. Slips are on a sea wall, not finger slips so you have no one on either side (more privacy).

When you leave Orlando get on the florida turnpike and you will make good time smooth sailing no real traffic all the way to key Largo (but you will pay tolls) make reservations at Bahia, google earth it, click on the blue dots for picture, see the park website.

tom

[TAW02]

Most important is to have a set of 'as current' as you can get, charts. Make the decision on destination as early can so changes in plan don't become 'last minute' mistakes. Also having charts early enough to review them and become familiar with the cruising waters that you will be sailing.

Other than this, I would say the folks here have offered a real wealth of information. Go-for it!

and good luck to you.

Tom

[tangentair]

offered a real wealth of information. Go-for it!

Yeah, that’s the real problem here, there is just so much to go for.
Keys, panhandle, shallow water gulf, gulf stream Atlantic, and did I mention that the sea food in the local spots, like hush puppies which may have originated in Florida are best in Titusville, or the smoked albacore pâté in Key West at a bar in the marina is to die for, jumbo shrimp just about anyway you like it in Panama City - I don't remember the name but the restaurant is in a "little traffic island" with roads all around it just off the water. Or clams at any greasy spoon along the ICW that has piles of clam shells waiting to be crushed and spread on the parking lot.
Oh yeah and they also have lots of touristy things to do.
The only thing you have to watch out for is the witch of Vero Beach. She makes the wicked witches of Oz and Macbeth look like amateurs. She drains the will to live out of any male unfortunate to meet her. OK, OK – she is my ex-wife and maybe I exaggerate a tiny bit.

[James V]

It really depends on what you like and want to do. The West coast is called the "Nature Coast" and the East coast is called the Gold Coast"

Weather - You should plan for 5 days of bad winds and 2 days of good. That time of the year it can be bad for the entire 2 weeks. It really depends on what you call "COLD" and windy.

Dec is just as good as time as any other.

Bottom - no problem for 2 weeks, just scrub the bottom when you leave.

Leaving the car - Several good places. If you want to stay on the west coast near Ft Myers try All American Covered Boat Storage in Port Charlotte. Has a ramp on a fresh water lagon. This is where I keep my boat. Very secure. Call ahead.

Get a cruising guide for the area that you plan to cruise. To really get away from it - do the Everglades.

Get an anchor that will hold your boat in 45 mph winds. You will need 2.

GPS Map is needed. This will also give you some good places to stay.

http://www.cruisersnet.net/ has a good info about Fl.

Have a good time. This is a very cruiser friendly area, well most of it.